Delaware Public Archives Blog

Did you know that one of the most frequently asked research questions is regarding mills? From the DuPont powder mills to the grist and flour mills, it’s not just scholars who are interested; every day citizens also seem to be fascinated by mills and the stories about them. We had some more people in yesterday […]

On Saturday, August 6, 10:30 a.m., the Delaware Public Archives will sponsor a program entitled “Location! Location! Location!”  Retired State Archivist and Delaware historian Russ McCabe will discuss the many ways in which geography shaped the history and development of Delaware and the Delmarva Peninsula. With particular emphasis on the colonial era, the early statehood period, […]

Old Newspapers on Microfilm The other day when a mother stopped in before her son’s all-star game.   Her son was playing in his second tournament. Last year was such a whirlwind she really didn’t have much time to think about it. So this year she wanted to take some time and learn more about Delaware […]

While the recent donation from Mildred Hicks of Florida included the Buckson Papers, a collection of original letters written by her great-grandfather Stephen Buckson during his time serving in a Delaware unit during the Civil War, Mrs. Hicks also sent other materials that citizens will find interesting.  Because her family vacationed in the Bowers Beach […]

Have you ever been at the beach and looked at one of the lighthouses and thought “I wonder what other lighthouses Delaware has”?  Well that’s exactly what happened the other day with a couple from Wisconsin.  They stopped in to see if they could find the answer. They couldn’t believe we have over 200 photographs […]

Today we celebrate Flag Day.  We had a young man stop by to see if we have anything relating to the history of the Delaware flag.  We have two files in our General Reference Collection containing correspondence, samples of material, copies of laws, and the specifications for the flag.  We have lots of photographs, information […]

Did you know that yesterday was the 67th  anniversary of the Allied troops landing in Normandy? If you visit the on- line guide to our collections and do a key word search for World War II, you will be able to see the many records we have relating to Delaware and the war. You can also check out the digital […]

This weekend we celebrate those brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation.  Did you know that Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day? Did you know that it was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington […]

Did you know that every year in May archives across the county participate in activities to protect their institutions from disasters?  Did you know that the Delaware Public Archives has a records recovery team?  We have helped numerous state agencies, schools, and local municipalities recover their records after disasters not only from fire, but water […]

With all the buzz in the air surrounding the royal wedding, it’s fair to say that “royal fever” has hit Delaware.  We had a woman stop by with her granddaughter.  They wanted to find out if any royalty had ever visited Delaware.  The answer is yes.  There have been several visits by the royal house […]